#14 - JRL 8058
From: "Sandra PRALONG" <sandra.pralong@undp.org>
Subject: Invitation--HIV-AIDS in Russia
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2004
HIV / AIDS IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE CIS
"REVERSING THE EPIDEMIC: FACTS AND POLICY OPTIONS"
Who/What: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) invites you to attend a Press Conference and Televised panel discussion "HIV / AIDS in Eastern Europe and the CIS".
When/Where: February 17, 2004 at the RIA Novosti (Press Club), 4 Zybovski Boulevard, Moscow. Press Conference at 10:30 AM; Televised panel discussion at 12:00.
How: As seating is limited, please register and confirm attendance by February 16, 2004 at 12:00 (noon) by calling Mr. Shombi Sharp, shombi.sharp@undp.org, + (7095) 787-2164; or 8916 380 8900
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According to the latest UNDP data, Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth States have some of the fastest growing rates of HIV/AIDS infection in the world. Participants will discuss:
. "Crossing the Rubicon": 1% infection rate is the threshold beyond which there seems no turning back. Already Russia, Ukraine, Estonia have passed this benchmark. What now?
. Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are now where South Africa was a short decade ago. What are the lessons for these countries and the rest of the region?
. Why is it said that "more Democracy is the best policy" in the fight against AIDS in this region?
. Are the EU and NATO ready to deal with the issues raised by their eastward expansion, given the HIV/AIDS situation they will inherit as of this May?
Panel Discussion "HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and the CIS":
. Mr. Mark Malloch Brown, Under Secretary-General, UNDP Administrator
. Prof. Lars Kallings, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe
. Mr. Gennady Onischenko, Deputy Minister of Health, Russian Federation
. His excellency, Alexander Vershbow, United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation
. Mr. Andrey Medvedev, tennis champoin and AIDS activist
. Dr. Mamasobir Burkhanov, HIV/AIDS Expert, Kyrgyzstan
. Father Arkadiusz Nowak, Adviser to the Minister of Health on AIDS and Drug Issues, Poland
For more information, please contact Sandra Pralong, sandra.pralong@undp.org, + 421-908-729846 or Tatiana Dimitrieva, RIA Novosti Press Club, tel./fax: +7 095 201 5019